Compare towns
Charleston vs Hancock vs Stratton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Charleston has the oldest population (median age 58.4).
Hancock has the most affordable homes ($188k median).
Stratton has the most expensive homes ($400k median).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Charleston | Hancock | Stratton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 936Highest |
435Lowest |
532 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.2% VT: +2.8% |
— | — |
| Median age | 58.4±9.3Highest 35% above VT |
33.8±11.6 22% below VT |
31.5±4.1Lowest 27% below VT |
| Kids under 18 | 11.2%±4.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
17.2%±5.8 VT: 17.9% |
28%±7.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Stratton and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 37.7%±8.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.8%±3.6 VT: 21.4% |
11.7%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 13.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
34.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
33.2% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±2.3Highest VT: 7% |
3.7%±3.6Highest VT: 7% |
1.3%±2.8Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $49,286±$17kLowest 39% below VT |
$76,250±$34k 6% below VT |
$122,708±$33kHighest 51% above VT |
| Stratton and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $238,000±$53k 25% below VT |
$187,900±$11kLowest 41% below VT |
$400,000±$50kHighest 26% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $979±$444 21% below VT |
$939±$19Lowest 24% below VT |
$1,208±$979Highest about the VT average |
| Stratton and Charleston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,750 26% below VT |
$3,511Lowest 30% below VT |
$4,750Highest 6% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32.7%±26.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
3.5%±16.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
12%±69.8 VT: 48.4% |
| Charleston and Stratton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 12.3%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.6% VT: 10.1% |
0%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
59.5%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
73.3% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
1988Highest 12 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest 12% above VT |
28 min 17% above VT |
33 minHighest 39% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.7%±7.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
11.7%±5 VT: 16.9% |
3.3%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Charleston and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Charleston School District | — | — |
| High school in town | None in town | — | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
VT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.